College Service
Resume:
DREW ALLEN BENNETT
*** *. ****** ***** 417-***-**** (H) 417-***-**** (W)
West Plains, MO 65775 Email: ***************@***.***
Summary: Visionary, collaborative leader and teacher with 34-year track record
of integrity and success in diverse environments. Past experience centers on
leadership and education within large organizations. Currently serving as
Chancellor of a separately accredited two-year college within a four-year state
university. Previously served on active duty as a Marine Corps officer, rising to
the rank of Colonel, in various assignments around the world leading large
organizations and working on Service, Joint (multi-service), and Combined (US
and Allied) Staffs. The majority of service has been in operational units with an
emphasis on security operations, training and education. Vast international travel
and experience, including living for over six years in Korea and Japan. Extensive
experience in teaching, leadership, management, communications and
community relations. Higher education experience includes teaching, full time
and adjunct, on line and in the classroom, graduate and undergraduate, and in
four-year and two-year schools. Consistently translated vision into action under
uncertain conditions and declining resources. Results-oriented, problem solver,
team builder, and mentor.
Education:
-Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, Adult and Extension
Education, Doctor of Philosophy, 1991
-National War College, 300 D Street SW, Washington, DC, 20319, National
Security Strategy, Master of Science, 2001
-Golden Gate University, 536 Mission Street, San Francisco CA, 94105-2968,
Human Relations, Master of Science, 1984
-Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, History, Bachelor of Arts, 1977
Teaching Experience
2007 to Present, As Chancellor, Missouri State University-West Plains, taught
IDS 110, Introduction to the College Community, a 2 semester hour course,
guest lecturer on numerous topics throughout the curriculum to include, history,
international culture, globalization, national security, and organizational
management.
2005 to 2007, Commandant of the Marine Corps Chair, National War College,
National Defense University, Ft McNair, Washington D.C. Educated future
leaders of the Armed Forces, State Department, other civilian agencies and
International Fellows for high-level policy, command, and staff responsibilities
through a graduate level course of study in national security strategy. The
College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Drew Bennett
and awards qualified graduates with a Masters of National Security Strategy.
Involved in teaching all six core courses, Fundamentals of Strategic Logic,
Military thought and the Essence of War, National Security Decision Making, the
Global Security Arena, National Military Strategy: Concept and Practice, and
Field Studies in National Security, and two electives; Human Behavior in Combat
and Military Response to Crisis. Conducted curriculum development and elective
design. Duties included teaching and research, mentoring, counseling, and
evaluating U.S. and international students in a Masters degree program.
Accomplishments: Recognized by student critiques as outstanding lecturer and
teacher. Developed new elective as Co-Course Director, recognized in student
critiques as vastly superior. Trained new faculty, formally recognized as superior
mentor. Led student groups during regional studies program, including
international travel, and during Marine Corps Orientation visit. Successfully
mentored Marine Students resulting in highest percentage of distinguished
students from any student group. Published Op-ed in Baltimore Sun.
2006, Adjunct Professor, Elliott School of International Affairs, George
Washington University. Taught IAFF-290, U.S. Strategic Planning for the 21st
Century, a 3 semester hour, graduate course.
Accomplishments: Sought out by George Washington University and asked to
fill this position on short notice, completely rewrote the syllabus and prepared
instruction for one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Mentored and
evaluated graduate level students in oral and written projects.
1999-2004, Distance Education Adjunct Faculty, USMC Command and Staff
College. Taught graduate level program consisting of three core courses: The
Nature and Theory of War, National and International Security Studies, and The
Operational Level of War. The American Council on Education has evaluated
these courses for graduate semester-hour credit, recommending: 3 semester
hours in international relations, 3 in military studies, 3 in organizational
management and planning, and 3 in theory and nature of war in the upper
division baccalaureate category; and 3 semester hours in military history and
evolution of strategic thought and 3 in national security studies in the graduate
degree category.
Accomplishments: Received letters of appreciation and recognized by Regional
Coordinator as top 1% of 150 instructors that he worked with in 8 years.
2003-2004, Established and supervised an Adult English Program taught by
volunteers on a U.S. military base for local Japanese in Okinawa, Japan.
Accomplishments: Recognized as a major success, the program grew from 30
adult students to more than 300 in just over a year.
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Drew Bennett
1999, Adjunct Professor, Central Texas College. Taught Man-101, Introduction
to Management, a 3 semester hour course.
Accomplishments: Partnered with college to develop a plan that certified officers
from deploying battalion as instructors, thereby providing teachers for college
courses while in Okinawa for six months. This effort resulted in 27% of the
Marines from that unit enrolling in a college course.
1991-1992, Volunteer, Literacy Volunteers of America, Alexandria, VA.
Taught adult literacy.
1986, Adjunct Professor, Blinn College, Bryan, TX. Taught Soc -235,
Introduction to Sociology, and Com-135, Mass Communications, each a 3
semester hour course.
1984-1988, Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Marine Officer Instructor in the Navy ROTC program teaching NS-303 and NS-
304, Evolution of Warfare I & II, each an accredited 3 semester hour course.
Advisor to a 40-person Cadet unit, one of 36 in A&M s Corps of Cadets.
Accomplishments: Responsible for unit winning highest award for military and
academic achievements three years in a row. Prepared 94 Marine Options who
all successfully completed Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, most in the
top 20% and 17 as honor graduates. After a 2 year decline in Cadet Corps
strength, responsible for unprecedented 74% increase in freshmen enrollment.
Awarded Letter of Commendation and Navy Commendation Medal for results
achieved.
Work Experience Leading Large Organizations:
2007-Present, As Chancellor, Missouri State University-West Plains led over
100 full time faculty and staff and over 250 part time faculty and staff serving
almost 3,000 students on three separate campuses using $10M annual budget.
Responsible for students, faculty, staff, assessment, accreditation, instruction
delivery, information technology, library services, university programs, housing,
facilities, budget, state appropriations, fundraising, athletics, recruitment,
admissions, enrollment, financial aid, retention, work force development,
communications, and board and community relationships. Attended American
Association of Community Colleges 2008 Presidents Academy Summer
Institute.
Accomplishments: Despite reduction of budget by 12.2%, increased enrollment
in rural service area by 40%, increased FTE by 58%, increased and improved
facilities. Significantly improved faculty and staff morale, resulting in selection of
MSU-West Plains by the Chronicle of Higher Education as a Great College to
Work For two years in a row. Despite operating in the tenth poorest US
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Drew Bennett
congressional district out of 435 in the country, significantly improved
development office, fund raising, and grant writing resulting in over $10M.
2004-2005, Chief of Staff, second in command, overseeing 10,000 people and
$300M worth of equipment located in Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan. Coordinated
operations and exercises in 7 countries in Asia using $20M annual operating
budget (operating budget does not include payroll). Supported operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq with personnel and equipment. Implemented organizational
vision, goals, and objectives including interface with numerous foreign
governments and U.S. agencies.
Accomplishments: Established Command and Control element and coordinated
all Tsunami Relief operations in Indonesia. Provided continuity of operations
during period of 25% reduction of key personnel due to Operations Enduring
Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Increased organization morale and efficiency
during period of declining resources and increased operations. Significantly
improved communications and understanding between staff sections and
operational units. Awarded Legion of Merit for results achieved.
2002-2004, Commanding Officer/Base Commander, 4th Marine Regiment, Camp
Schwab. Dual-position as Commanding Officer of an operational regiment and
as Base Commander for the northern most base on Okinawa, Japan, reporting to
two different General Officers. Directly responsible for 4,000 people, $75M worth
of equipment, community relations, and facilities management to include
housing, offices, dinning facilities, and recreational buildings. Regiment was the
most diverse, geographically separated, deployed, operationally oriented
regiment in the Marine Corps. Conducted operations and exercises in 7 different
countries in Asia on an annual operating budget (does not count payroll) of $2M
divided among 7 different accounts. Developed, implemented organizational
vision, goals, and objectives including interface with numerous foreign
governments.
Accomplishments: Developed orientation and training program that reduced
incidents, increased cohesion, and maintained equipment as 10 different
battalions rotated in and out of the regiment with zero fatalities. Significantly
improved US/Japanese relations by creating partnerships with local Japanese
community. Using existing infrastructure and volunteers, established a beginning
English class for Japanese Adults growing from 30 Japanese students on the
first day to over 300 by the end of the year. Instituted Theme Lounge and
Whole Room concept across 16 barracks, improving quality of life and care of
facilities. Doubled the use of live fire ranges in the most restrictive environment
in the Marine Corps, preparing two battalions for operations in Iraq. Successfully
translated strategic vision from separate support and operational commands into
synchronized organizational actions. Achieved highest maintenance rating,
reduced equipment costs, and managed award-winning facilities.
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Drew Bennett
2001-2002, Deputy Director of Operations, responsible for overseeing and
tracking the major operations of 172,000 people located throughout the world.
Filled in for the Director on numerous occasions during his absence.
Coordinated the operations, research, briefings, staff actions and integration of
four braches, Current Operations, Expeditionary Policies, Readiness, and
Ground Combat. Coordinated the interface between the Marine Corps (as one of
the four Services) and the joint and combined activities of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
and the unified Commanders-in-Chief, and various allied and other foreign
Defense agencies. Provided executive level management and supervision of
programmatic planning for ground equipment and naval shipping.
Accomplishments: Coordinated Marine Corps crisis response during 9/11 attack
on the Pentagon and completely re-established IT and communication
capabilities in temporary workspaces, to include facilitating the U.S. Navy Current
Operations branch that had been destroyed. Principle developer of Marine
Corps Continuity of Operations Plan. Coordinated the activation, mobilization
and demobilization of all Marine Corp Reserve forces mobilized after 9/11,
requiring synchronization with operating forces, Manpower Directorate, and
Reserve Marine Forces. Successfully reorganized Division by restructuring
Security Branch into a separate Division based on need created after 9/11.
Personally conducted daily operational update to Secretary of the Navy after
9/11. Awarded Meritorious Service Medal for results achieved.
1998-2000, Battalion Commander, led over 800 people, responsible for
operations, training and education while operating internationally.
Accomplishments: Personally accounted for, accepted, maintained and later
turned over three different accounts of equipment valued at $22M each.
Operated these equipment accounts in different locations with different budgets,
budgeting priorities, and operating costs, improved the overall readiness of the
account each time. Examples of material enhancements include improvement in
Motor Transport account from 69%-98%, required painting of rolling stock
increased from 7%-65%, overall equipment readiness increased from 87%-97%
(highest in Division), decreased account deficiencies by $99,000, and received
highest inspection results ever given by the Logistics Readiness Inspection
Team. Conducted 3 major, battalion level or higher, live fire exercises and
deployments to Okinawa, Japan; Fuji, Japan; Philippines, Korea, Thailand and
Guam. Battalion squad won Marine Corps Super Squad competition. Partnered
with Central Texas College and Marine Welfare and Recreation to develop
innovative educational opportunities resulting in 212 Marines enrolled in college
courses and 92 Marines receiving SCUBA certification.
Crisis Experience
1993-1995, Crisis Action Team Executive Officer/Amphibious Operations Officer.
Simultaneously held two positions: 1) as Amphibious Operations Officer
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Drew Bennett
responsible for exercises, training and war planning of U.S. and Republic of
Korea (ROK) amphibious forces, and 2) as Crisis Action Team (CAT) Executive
Officer (XO) responsible for the administration, training, and functioning of the
U.S. and ROK Crisis Action Team. Duties included maintaining communication
and coordination across all staff sections and operational units of U.S. forces in
Korea and ROK forces, as well as with US Embassy, Pacific Command, and the
U.S. Joint Staff, and collecting, organizing, and briefing time-critical warfighting
information to the command s senior leaders. Responsible for the beginning
phase of annual exercises including Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL), the world s largest
and most advanced military computer simulation exercise and Foal Eagle, the
world s largest Special Operations exercise.
Accomplishments: Supervised the upgrade of Theater Automated Command
and Control Information Management System. Initiated recall of CAT and
facilitated operations during numerous incidents resulting from increased
tensions with North Korea including 2 major efforts monitoring North Korean
forces and actions after the death of Kim Ill Sung and repatriating 2 U.S. Army
Warrant Officers, one of which was killed, after they were shot down in North
Korea. Graduated from Joint Staff College, where paper written for the course
was selected for publication in Joint Force Quarterly. Awarded Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and 2 letters of
commendation from the Republic of Korea (equivalent of a personal award) for
results achieved.
Additional Crisis experience includes:
-2005, Operation Unified Assistance, the tsunami relief operation, in Indonesia.
-11 September 2001, Terrorist attack on the Pentagon.
-1990 and 1991, Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait.
-1983, Multi-national Peacekeeping Operation in Beirut, Lebanon, including the
bombing of the Marine barracks on 23 October.
Fund Raising and Grant Experience
As Chancellor, Missouri State University, restructured Development Office and
worked to reestablish ties with donors. Developed Annual Giving Campaign and
improved and streamlined Employee Giving Program, and increased event
fundraising efforts by 50%. Developed Donor Opportunity Book to established
goals, energize Development Board and facilitate donor cultivation. Experienced
in working with a Development Board and University Foundation. Restructured
grant writing office and created grant writing teams. As Doctoral Candidate,
studied under Dr. Robert Walker, Vice President for Development, at Texas
A&M, and co-authored Major Gifts: Building an Effective Program, which was
published in Non-Profit World, Jul-Aug 88. Dr. Walker raised the TAMU
foundation from $500,000 to $150,000,000 in 15 years. Extensively involved in
raising money for annual drives of the Boy Scouts, Navy Marine Corps Relief
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Drew Bennett
Society, Toys for Tots, Combined Federal Campaign, Rotary, and the United
Way.
Accomplishments: Donor effort resulted in $3,000,000 bequest; established a
faculty professorship with annual gift for five years, Annual Giving Campaign
raised $200,000, employee giving increased to 72% giving rate, increased event
fundraising productivity by 50%,. In a one year period awarded $5,000,000 in
Title III, Trio, FEMA and other state and federal grants. Exceeded assigned goal
every year during annual fundraising drives, consistently finishing at or near the
top of all units.
Communications and Writing Ability
2007-present, As Chancellor, Missouri State University-West Plains, presented
programs to campus community, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Chambers of
Commerce, School Boards, and High Schools. Key note speaker for local
Veteran s Day and Memorial Day ceremonies and numerous campus sponsored
events. Conducted op-ed campaign to foster support for education in the local
community, the state, and nationwide. Conducted outreach campaign, speaking
to 23 area high schools. Conducted Listening Campaign by visiting all full time
faculty members in their individual office and classroom.
Accomplishments: Increased enrollment by 40% and FTE by 58% over four year
period. Increased percentage of high school graduates in a seven county service
area enrolling in college by 5.6% during a period when the state average fell by
2%. Increased faculty morale. MSU-West Plains was selected as a Great
College to Work For by the Chronicle of Higher Education for two years in a row.
Asked by Rural Community College Association to present It s All About The
Community during the 2011 annual conference of the American Association of
Community Colleges.
1995-1997, Head, Commandant s Staff Group, head of speech writing and
communications team for Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC, senior
General that leads the Marine Corps). Worked directly with the CMC to
conceive, develop, and write articles and speeches for his use and publication.
Accomplishments: Led efforts of the Staff Group, coordinating research and
message of Marine Corps Staff, articulating vision of Commandant of the Marine
Corps (CMC). Responsible for 200 speeches, articles, messages, and letters,
personally writing 70 products for CMC. Wrote Gen Louis Wilson s address to
joint session of Congress marking the 50th anniversary of the end of WW II.
Hand picked by CMC to serve as first ever one-year Marine Corps fellowship on
personal staff of Speaker of the House of Representatives. Working within Office
of Legislative Affairs, completed 500 Questions for the Record, resulting in a 90%
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Drew Bennett
decrease in a backlogged system. Awarded Navy Commendation Medal and
Meritorious Service Medal for results achieved.
Over 40 articles, book reviews, and op-eds, listed below, published in
educational journals, military journals, and various news papers, including a
series of articles dealing with strategy that ran in the Marine Corps Gazette, one
of which was required reading for the National War College core course on
Military Thought and the Essence of War.
Op-ed & Opinion Letters
MSU-West Plains Showcases Itself Before Higher Ed Head, Houston Herald,
Feb 10, 2011
Picking Up Crumbs, Inside Higher Ed, Oct 12, 2009
Culture Does Not Conflict With College, Howell County News, Aug 26, 2009
The Impact of Higher Education? Priceless, West Plains Daily Quill, Aug 12,
2009
Corporate Donors Can Make a Huge Difference, Chronicle of Higher Education,
Mar 27, 2009
An Open Letter to President Obama, Inside Higher Education, Feb 19, 2009
There Is No Bad Time For College, Houston Herald, Dec 11, 2008
A+ Program a Wise Investment in the Future, West Plains Daily Quill, Sep 12,
2009
Prestige or Purpose? Kansas City Star, Apr 19, 2008
Chancellor s Column: Ozark Globalization, West Plains Daily Quill, Dec 7, 2007
What We Should Tell Our Kids About College, Springfield News-Leader, Oct
26, 2007
No U.S. Role in Lebanon, Baltimore Sun, Aug 24, 2006, p. 15A.
Education IS Recognized, Marine Corps Times, Feb 7, 2000, p. 62.
Heads I Win, Tales You Lose: Forcing Unconditional Surrender on Germany,
Marine Corps Gazette, Dec 02, p. 42-44.
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Drew Bennett
The Russo-Japanese War: Defining Victory, Marine Corps Gazette, Nov 02, p.
69-71.
War and Politics: Married or Divorced, Marine Corps Gazette, Oct 02, p. 33-35.
* Special and Incentive Pay: Sailing Away From Jointness, Joint Force
Quarterly, Summer 02, issue # 31, p. 77-81.
Military Presence in Asia is Key, Proceedings, Jan 02, p. 57-60.
Gapped Billets Exist, Deal With It, Proceedings, Nov 00, p. 36-38.
Wild and Crazy, Bold and Daring, or Reasonable and Prudent, Marine Corps
Gazette, Sep 00, p. 67-68.
Green Fields Beyond, Military Review, Jan-Feb 00, p. 77-80.
CAX: It s Time to Raise the Bar, Not Lower It, Marine Corps Gazette, Jun 99,
p. 46-47.
Exercising the Operational Art in Steel Knight VII, Proceedings, Jul 98, p. 72-
75.
Defending Inlandia: A Flawed Deployment Doctrine, Joint Force Quarterly,
Autumn/Winter 97-98, issue # 17, p. 130-134.
The Long View of Politics, Marine Corps Gazette, Jul 97, p. 52-54.
Coalition Rules of Engagement, Maj A. Macdonald, USA, co-author, Joint Force
Quarterly, Summer 95, issue # 8, p. 124-125.
Minefield Breaching: Doing the Job Right, Armor, Jul-Aug 92, p. 19-21.
Will the Next War Be Like the Last One, Marine Corps Gazette, Mar 92, p. 37-
39.
Characteristics of Successful and Unsuccessful Writers for a Military Journal,
Doctoral Dissertation, Texas A&M University Aug 91, 141 pages.
Word From the Front, Maj J. Taylor, co-author, Marine Corps Gazette, Jun 91,
p. 62-71.
Philosophy of Command and Commander's Guidance, Infantry, Mar-Apr 91, p.
13-15.
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Drew Bennett
A Captain's Eye View of Gallant Eagle, Marine Corps Gazette, Dec 88, p. 29-
30.
Major Gifts: Building an Effective Program, Dr. Robert Walker, co-author, Non-
Profit World, Jul-Aug 88, p. 15-17.
Supervision, Marine Corps Gazette, Nov 85, p. 60-61.
* Based on NWC 2001 paper that won the Marine Corps Association Excellence
in Writing Award.
Book Reviews
What High Schools Don't Tell You: 300 + Secrets to Make your Kids Irresistible
to Colleges by Senior Year, by Elizabeth Wissner-Gross, Springfield News-
Leader, Sep 13, 2007, p. 2B.
The Bear Went Over the Mountain: Soviet Combat Tactics in Afghanistan, by
Lester Grau and The Soviet-Afghan War: How a Superpower Fought and Lost,
edited by Lester Grau and Michael Gress, When Goliath Fell, Marine Corps
Gazette, Apr 02, p. 76-77.
Desert Storm: A Forgotten War by Alberto Bin, Richard Hill, and Archer Jones,
Aerospace Power Journal, Summer 00, p. 122.
Gulf War: The Complete History by Thomas Houlahan, Marine Corps Gazette,
Jan 00, p. 78.
World Boom Ahead: Why Business and Consumers Will Prosper by Knight
Kiplinger, Airpower, Fall 99, p. 125.
The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO's Contribution to Warfare by H. J. Poole,
Marine Corps Gazette, Jul 99, p. 85.
The Israeli Army: 1948-1973 by Edward Luttwak and Daniel Horowitz, Marine
Corps Gazette, Feb 85, p. 77-78.
Chronological Work History:
2007 to now Chancellor, Missouri State University West Plains .
2005-2007 Commandant of the Marine Corps Chair, National War College, Ft
McNair, Washington D.C. (teaching assignment described above),
concurrently taught at George Washington University (described
above)
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Drew Bennett
Chief of Staff, 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan (Senior Vice
2004-2005
President overseeing 10,000 people and $300M worth of
equipment located in different countries, developed and
implemented organizational vision, goals, and objectives)
2002-2004 Regimental Commander and Base Commander, Camp Schwab,
Okinawa, Japan (responsible for 4,000 people, $75M worth of
equipment, community relations, and facilities management to
include housing, offices, dining facilities, and recreational
buildings), concurrently taught USMC Command & Staff College as
Adjunct Professor (described above)
2001-2002 Deputy Director of Operations, Plans, Policy & Operations, HQMC,
Pentagon (Vice President overseeing and tracking the major
operations of 172,000 people located in every time zone throughout
the world)
2000-2001 Student, National War College, Ft McNair, Washington D.C.
1998-2001 Battalion Commander (responsible for organization of 850 people,
operating internationally), 29 Palms, CA, concurrently taught for
USMC Command & Staff College and Central Texas College as
Adjunct Professor (described above)
1997-1998 Regimental Operations Officer, 29 Palms, CA (responsible for
operations, training and education of 4,000 people)
1996-1997 Congressional Fellow, Officer of the Speaker of the House, Newt
Gingrich, Washington D.C.
1995-1996 Head of Commandant s Staff Group, leading speech writing
communications team, HQMC, Pentagon
1993-1995 Crisis Action Team Executive Officer and Amphibious Operations
Officer, Combined Forces Command, Korea
1992-1993 Student, Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting, Quantico,
VA
1991-1992 Student, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, VA
1988-1991 Company Commander, Camp Pendleton, CA (responsible for
organization of 200, operating internationally)
1984-1988 Teaching Navy ROTC, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
(teaching assignment and accomplishments described above),
concurrently taught for Blinn College (described above)
1980-1984 Aerial Observer flying in OV-10 and UH-1 aircraft, New River, NC
(operating internationally)
1977-1980 Platoon Commander & Company Commander, Jacksonville, NC
(responsible for organization of 200, operating internationally)
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